10 Surprising Things You Never Knew Were Determined By Your Genes

Sure, there are environmental factors that contribute to laziness, but according to the NY Daily News, it could be in your genes too. Seriously.

Lab tests on breeding lazy rats together compared to active rats together found some very interesting results — namely that the offspring often followed in the parents' footsteps.

Some people can't stand the taste of cilantro, claiming it's like putting a bar of soap in their mouths, while the rest of us wonder how such a lovely addition to guacamole could ever be considered foul. As it turns out, Fox News reports that it's a genetic trait which makes the herb taste so nasty to some.

There is a gene that causes an inadequate amount of a certain protein to be produced in the brain, making it hard to learn certain skills (like playing an instrument) or to improve with practice. Who knew?

Photic sneeze reflex, or sneezing when you step out from your car or home into the bright light, is genetic. It is also where the word "achoo" comes from, as this genetic trait is technically called Autosomal dominant compelling helio-ophthalmic outburst. The first letters surprisingly spell out "achoo!"

Science Nordic reports that the same gene that gives people red hair and pale skin, gene MCR1, may also be associated with how well you handle physical pain, as well as spicy food. Redheads are typically better at withstanding pain because of the variation on this gene. This same variation, however, also makes these folks less responsive to anesthetics.

Fear not, that's pure beet juice pictured above.

Not everyone's pee turns an alarming shade of red after eating beets because only some of us have the gene that breaks down that strong red pigment . When a person doesn't have this beet-breaking-down gene, the condition is called betaninuria.

According to MedIndia, studies have shown that people choose mates with very different sets of genes than their own, so there's more to the saying that opposites attract than just a good excuse for you to go for the "bad boy."

A fun fact: Varying genes in a relationship adds more genetic diversity to offspring, which makes it more likely for the children to be healthy.

That's right, fears can be inherited from your ancestors. The Telegraph reports that some incredibly irrational fears today could have once been a very real fear a few generations ahead of your own, having been passed through your bloodline.

The ability to roll your tongue into a tube, like a straw, is determined by genetics, but not my one single gene as textbooks still cite today. However, it is most likely determined by a batch of genes. Out of 33 people who couldn't roll their tongue, only one of them was able to do it after a month of practicing, strongly pointing to genetics. It's not a life-changing ability, but interesting nonetheless!

A study out of London showed a strong argument for genetics being just about as responsible for taste in music as nature and environment. That is until you reach the age of 50, at which point your environment begins to play a bigger role in your music taste.

Did you ever suspect any of these traits were embedded in your genes? What qualities have your parents passed along to you? Let us know in the comments and please SHARE with family and friends on Facebook!